Religious freedom in Iraq is worth voting for

I am excited about voting in the first Iraqi election. I know
many of us have trouble accepting the idea that something good
might come out of U.S. foreign policy in Iraq, but regardless of
how one feels about the war, we can all support the hope of a
democratic Iraq.

I was downright giddy while driving down to Irvine with my
brother to register last Thursday. Even though it took three hours
out of my day, I never thought of complaining.

I could only think about those who have died and were dying in
Iraq in order to secure this election ““ Americans and Iraqis
alike. What was my minor sacrifice compared to theirs?

When we got there, the security was amazing ““ I was
surprised they didn’t strip search me (although I think one
of the security guards was eyeing me). We met our parents at the
entrance and walked in together. An older man greeted us at the
door with a warm smile and some words in Arabic.

I am embarrassed to say that his words were garbled to me. I
don’t speak any Arabic.

I found out later that the man at the door was Iraqi ““ my
father could tell by his accent. I was born and raised in San
Diego; I have never been to Iraq.

So what business do I have voting in this election? I
don’t plan on permanently living in Iraq, so why should I
have a hand in their affairs? Why would Iraq give the right to vote
to the children of any Iraqi-born man? After all, I am, first and
foremost, an American.

At the same time, I am an Iraqi. Although I don’t put much
stock in ethnicity or nationality, I do believe that being Iraqi is
a part of me. I have relatives and family friends who still live in
Iraq, and I plan on spending some of my life there. I want to go
there with my parents, and perhaps someday with my kids. I want to
see where my parents grew up, the setting of my father’s
wonderful and sometimes tragic stories.

Maybe, if things get better, I could buy a house and spend part
of every year there. I have a vested and legitimate interest in the
outcome of this election. Not as much as someone who lives in Iraq,
but it’s still enough to justify my right to vote.

This election is particularly important to me as a Chaldean.
Chaldeans have their own unique ethnicity, language and brand of
Roman Catholicism. From all over the Middle East, many Chaldeans
have come to the United States in search of opportunity and to
avoid persecution.

With the church bombings in Iraq over the last year and the
recent kidnapping of a Chaldean bishop, the fate of all non-Muslims
in Iraq is shaky at best.

Chaldeans may share the same misfortune as the Iraqi Jews who,
after a war between Jews and Arabs and the subsequent establishment
of Israel in 1948, were forced out of the country with only a
suitcase.

Now the United States ““ viewed internationally as a
Christian country ““ has gone to war with Arabs in both
Afghanistan and Iraq. In response, some extremist groups in Iraq
have attacked Chaldeans, our churches and our leaders.

This is why my vote is so important. Chaldeans and other
non-Muslim Iraqis are in grave danger of death or exile. Chaldeans
and all Iraqis should be free to live and practice their faith in
safety, without fear or anxiety.

Iraqis have a tremendous opportunity now. Iraq needs to
establish a self-rule government which will protect religious
freedom. My vote could lead to a Chaldean getting a seat in the
National Assembly, with the ability to help form Iraq’s
constitution.

Upon exiting the registration center, a young woman asked if I
wanted to be interviewed by a Japanese news station. With my
penchant for making bonehead remarks, I declined. But as we drove
away, something was burning in my heart. There was something I
wanted to say, that I wanted everyone to hear, and so I say it
now.

I am grateful for this opportunity to vote, and to those who
have sacrificed to make this election possible. I don’t know
how this election will turn out, but I hope my vote will help
protect freedom and tolerance in Iraq.

Saroki is a fourth-year history and psychology
student.